Hands...

"I'm Clean!!" That is exactly what Eli is thinking... well, maybe something like that!

On another note, Eli has seriously found his hands... they have come in handy a time or two!


Cheers!

11 weeks can seem like an eternity...

This morning, regardless of last nights sleeping situations, we woke up content. All day Eli has been all smiles, when he's been in my arms or had my complete attention. See, it was one of those days where he only wanted me. That is one of those things a parent shares with their child, being needed, being loved. Sometimes it is a bit over kill, but, in retrospect, it fills your heart with gladness.

Eli spent time checking out the sights from his crib... totally awesome wall hanging, huh?!? Gotta love the ark! My mom made that for us. I have no idea how she has the patience to do such a thing, but the end result is gratifying!


We also spent a good amount of tummy time today. Eli is getting really good at holding that head up! He looks around, checking out where sounds are coming from. I would call his name and he would swiftly move his head around trying to find me! He did! Milestones... they really happen!




By the way... I applied to grad school today! Scary, but exciting! If only there were an AMI training center in Kansas...
Cheers!

Seriously, I'm Growing Strong!

Today we went to our new doctor that is really close to where we live! We are really excited to have made this change-- we no longer have to make a long drive and have someone close! We really liked her, and found out some awesome news...


Eli weighed 15 pounds 8 ounces and was 25 inches long. Two and a half more pounds and he has doubled his birth weight! His head is 16 inches in circumference! Seriously, he is growing strong! His weight is at the top of the chart, 99 percentile... his height in the 95th percentile.... his head, well, that is just in the 50th percentile-- but that is okay. We have enough brain room! By the way... Eli is not quite 11 weeks-- he will be on Thursday!



Have you noticed this cute hat Eli is wearing? Eli's Nana, my mom, made it for him! CUTE! We are so lucky to have such wonderful grandparents!! Nana came today... we won't see her for a couple weeks-- Eli will have changed so much by then! Hopefully it goes fast! We are so thankful for her! Cheers!

We're going on a pumpkin hunt...

Going to the pumpkin patch is one of my most favorite fall activities... and today we enjoyed it as a family! We had Grandma Lynette AND Grandpa Stan there! A grandparent from each side-- how cool! We got quite the bounty of pumpkins (pics to come).


Aunt Anna was in town from Colorado-- we love having her here and appreciate her joining us at the dusty, windy pumpkin patch! :)


Grandpa Stan with Eli during lunch-- YUM!

Grandma Lynette ended up joining us with Abby, Lydia, and Masarra! Somehow, I do not have pictures of Abby or Masarra-- next time I will get you girls!! We are so thankful they all joined us for this first experience! We will always remember!

We were lucky enough to have my dad, Grandpa Stan, and Brenda join us at our house after they trudged all over the patch with us! We had a nice time introducing the dogs and simply enjoying the warm breeze with conversation. Today really turned out nice. Cheers!

Today I'm 10 weeks old!!

Such a big boy!! I've even mastered the pouty lip!!

Changes...

Baths are awesome! The only other time we have as much fun is afterward, during our lotion time! What is you see is right-- a mohawk. Eli is that cool.


We've been trying to get on a daily schedule of naps-- trying to break the whole cat nap thing to ensure healthy nighttime sleeping habits. So far, the naps have been going well. Today Eli took a two hour nap and I got some things done! Imagine that!


This morning was a bit chilly, so we tried on our new skeleton sweatshirt from our awesome Armstrong cousins and had some tummy time! He's really been pushing off lately... I wonder how soon until the pushing off goes further and we have a mobile boy! It will be fun to find out!



As for myself and Alexander... I noticed today I have only nine weeks left in the semester which makes me quite pleased. Neither of us have really had a break since Eli joined the crew. I'm looking forward to just relaxing and being a family for a bit... not worrying about other things. We really haven't had much time to just the three of us at all, let alone just the two of us (I'm crazy and not totally ready for that, though!!)! Maybe Alexander will get some time off so we can really do this. It is funny how our priorities change when we have children-- the difference in what we look forward to. The few days we spent in the hospital when Eli was in the NICU really made us both realize that so much does not matter. Sometimes I think it is difficult for people to remember we are now our own nuclear family... sometimes we forget that! But, every night we get a reminder! I love being a family.

The few I got of the pre-shower...

We got to see so many people from my side of the family this weekend-- it was WoNdErFul!! Are these not the cutest pictures with Great Aunt Jill-- she is like a grandma to me!!



This is Caitlynn, an awesome second cousin I love, and I know Eli cannot get enough of! She did so well!



Here is Leesha, my sister, and mom to be-- she is getting good practice :) !




Another great one of Caitlynn... and there is Maddie. I wish I had one of her with Eli... I am sure I will get one soon! I could eat them up, I love them so!!!!!

Our First Weekend Away...

This weekend we went to my mom's, Nana, for my sister's baby shower. Leesha is due in December. We went early so Nana could show off Eli to all her friends during the ESU/PSU football game.


We got to see many great family members-- Great Uncle Herb...

And Great Uncle Ed...




Eli took a good nap outside with Daddy before Aunt Leesha's shower.